David named district MVP on defense

Logan David The fact that Logan David has played his last football game didn't deter distr ict coaches from naming him the top defender in District 24-3A.

The 6-foot-4, 300-pound senior w ith the quick feet posted 92 tackles this season while tossing around offensive linemen and opponent's ball carriers like rag dolls.

Teammates LeRaven Clark, Justin Elliott and brother Derek David were also singled out for their outstanding play.

"I obviously feel that the coaches made the right decision by voting Logan as the defensive MVP and Derek the newcomer of the year," said Rockdale Coach Jeff Miller. "There was no doubt in my mind that Le Raven was possibly the best offensive lineman in the district and also one of the best defensive linemen."

His best effort came in a close game against Lampasas when he made 17 stops.

"Logan is one of the best that's ever played here."

Despite numerous offers from colleges, David has informed Miller he does not want to play football at the next level. It marks the third time past five years that a Rockdale player has been named the defensive player of the year.

Sophomore linebacker Derek David (top left) was named the District 24-3A newcomer of the year while junior LeRaven Clark (top right) was tabbed for the first team on both offense and defense. Senior linebacker Justin Elliott (bottom left) was selected for the first team for the second consecutive year and senior defensive tackle Logan David (bottom right) was considered the best defender. Linebacker Nic Hammet t was t he district's top defender last season, while defensive end Austin January was the best defensive player in 2005.

Both Hammett and January were also named first-team all-state.

David was honorable mention last season.

In this age of specialization and two-platoon

football, junior LeRaven Clark turned in a rare achievement, being named first-team on both offense and defense. The 6-foot-6, 230-pound Clark dominated his position on both sides of the ball, holding down the left tackle spot and was a unanimous selec t ion on defense.

Clark, who was sixth on the Tigers in tackles with 63, was the only player in the district to be named first team both offensively and defensively and was the only Rockdale player on the firstteam offense. Sophomore Derek David fin-

ished ahead of his older brother Logan on the team with 93 tackles and the 6-foot-3, 225 pounder showed a flair for making spectacular plays and was selected as the district newcomer of the year.

Rockdale has also had its share of district newcomers in the past five years.

O f fensive linema n Aust in Dodds received the award in 2006, while Logan David was the top newcomer in 2007.

Senior Justin Elliott was the only other Tiger player to be selected for the first team.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Elliott was third on the team in tackles behind the Davids with 70 stops and was also a first-team selection in 2008.

"All three of these young men are very deserving of their awards," Miller said. " They have put in a ton of work and they were very committed to being great football players.

"We really look forward to having Derek and Le Raven come back next year and build on their success."

Caldwell's Kyson Woolverton, who led the district in rushing with 1,500 yards and 26 touchdowns, was named the unanimous most valuable player.

Explosive Navasota quarterback Kye Hildreth was picked as the offensive MVP after both throwing (1,009) and passing (1,417) for over 1,000 yards—the only player in the district to do both.

Dale Williams, who led Caldwell to a 9-2 mark and its first district crown since 1993, was the choice for coach of the year.

There were 121 players chosen for the squad off seven district teams, led by Caldwell's 22.

DISTR ICT NOTES—Both Caldwell and Navasota were felled in the Class 3A state playoffs this weekend. Navasota (9-3) was trimmed by No. 1 ranked Gilmer 42-25 in falling for the third straight year in the quarterfinals. Defending state champion and No. 2 ranked Carthage cast aside Caldwell 56-41 after jumping out 27-0. Coldspring, which knocked Rockdale out in the area round, was eliminated by Lorena (10-3) and the Leopards will battle aforementioned 13-0 Carthage Saturday.